The Great Gatsby Essay | Essay

A Party of Differences

Summary: The different styles of parties thrown by Jay Gatsby and Myrtle in "The Great Gatsby" written by F. Scotts Fitzgareld.

A Party of Differences

Myrtle throws a small party at the apartment in the city with Tom Buchanan, the man she is having an affair with. This is an apartment whose "living room was crowded to doors with a set of tapestried furniture entirely too large for it so that to move abut was to stumble continually...." Myrtle's party vastly differs from that of the wealthy Jay Gatsby. Myrtle's party includes but a few close friends and her sister Catharine. Taking place in a tiny apartment Myrtle pretends to be wealthy and classy. Aside from just the setting, the host of the party is also greatly different. Unlike Gatsby, Myrtle is a great part of her parties. Myrtle loves being the center of attention at her parties. Unlike Gatsby, the people who come to Myrtle's party are her acquaintances and know her secrets. As the hostess, Myrtle puts on airs to become the main attraction of her diminutive and congested parties.

The nouveau riche Jay Gatsby however, throws parties which are immensely different then those of Myrtle. His parties are held in vast outdoor areas with a live orchestra and free alcohol for all. Hundreds come to his lavish parties, even without invitation. Unlike Myrtle, he prefers to be an outsider at his own parties. He does not converse nor try to meet the people who attend his party. He is a silent host who wishes only to observe his parties. The guests who attend Gatsby's party know nothing about him and spread vicious rumors about him. Although Gatsby is immensely rich he does not put on airs and has no need to be a great part of his party. A silent ghost in this own party, Gatsby throws parties which are more expensive then all others in The Great Gatsby.